1. Client Matter Files
1.1. Our Terms of Business are sent to a stakeholder on each occasion a new matter is opened. Clause 9 ‘Files and Documents’ states that:
1.1.1. we may destroy physical copies of documents once we have made electronic copies for our file. Stakeholders are required to make specific arrangements with us if they wish papers to be retained in physical copies.
1.1.2. we will retain files and papers, including in electronic form, for such a period as we consider being reasonable, which will be a minimum of six years but we have the right to destroy them without reference to the stakeholder after such period. Stakeholders are required to make specific arrangements with us if they wish papers to be retained.
1.2. All closed stakeholder matters will have a retention period of not less than 12 years running from the date of file closure. At the 12 year point the file will be destroyed unless there is a compelling reason for the firm to retain the file and this complies with GDPR.
1.3. Electronic copies of completed transaction documents stored as a transaction “bible” will be retained for 15 years from the date of file closure.
1.4. Accounts records held on our files are handled as set out in 1.2. Hard copies held by the accounts team will be deleted after seven years.
2. KYC Information
3. HR Information
3.1. HR records will be destroyed after 12 years. For the purposes of administration this will be actioned annually in December of each year.
3.2. Webserver Job alerts will be removed 15 months after being added and job applications will be removed three months after the vacancy has been filled.
3.3. Personal data obtained from job applicants will be deleted after 2 years.
3.4. Personal data stored in private workspaces created for partners and managers for HR information (including for appraisals, promotion and probation reviews) will be deleted 15 months after creation.
4. Marketing
4.1. Contact information relating to stakeholders and contacts will be held for so long as we believe the information to remain accurate and the individual concerned remains a genuine connection of the firm, or of one of our partners and staff. We have a programme for reviewing our contacts regularly, and removing any information which is considered to be out of date or no longer relevant.
5. Other Information
5.1. Routine business records, such as postage receipts, document delivery tracking, health and safety information are destroyed after 12 months.
5.2. Accounts and file opening records are destroyed after seven years.
5.3. Facilities records are destroyed after 12 years.
5.4. CCTV information is destroyed after 60 days.